Maybe I'm Not Crazy

If you were to meet me and get to know me, one thing you would learn very quickly is that I love to read. Besides writing, reading is one of my other biggest passions. Although, I do believe if you are a writer at heart, you are more likely to be a reader at heart, too. So I guess this may not be a big surprise to, well, anyone!

I love to lose myself in a great novel for awhile. It is like a vacation from my own life. I am not saying my life is miserable or anything, but it is fun to pretend that you are part of this other life. It is brand-new, exciting, scary, happy, sad, etc.

Girls In White Dresses by Jennifer Close

I just finished the first novel by Jennifer Close called "Girls in White Dresses". After reading this book (in 2 days) I thought to myself, "Maybe I'm not crazy." This book is about a group of girlfriends from school (college, high school, etc) that are all in their 20s. They book goes back and fourth and bounces around from girl to girl through out the 291 pages and was definitely hard to get to use to at first, but when I did, I realized that I am not crazy. Here is this author out there in the world writing about thoughts and feelings I have felt before. Thoughts and feelings that I have had that I swore to myself no one else has ever thought or felt.

The girls in the book are just trying to make it in cities such as Chicago, New York, and Boston. They sit back and watch their other friends get engaged, married, have children; all the while they lose their jobs, have one too may hook-ups & break-ups, and share their stories over lots (& lots) of bottles of wine. One girl is stuck in a dead-end job, the other keeps finding Mr. Wrong. One is in law-school who has no time for anything.

It. Is. Real. Life.

It is so hard to find a book that you can actually relate too. Of course I read 50 Shades of Grey, but how many people can actually relate to that? I LOVED the books, do not get me wrong. I lost myself in them and in Twilight and The Hunger Games, but after I was done reading it I was like well that was good. Not real, but good.

It took me only 2 days (thanks Easter Break) to read Girls In White Dresses and after I finished the last page, I found myself wanting to cry. Why? Well, who really knows. Maybe a therapist? It was real. The book may be fiction, but I could finally relate. The main character didn't find her "perfect soulmate" in chapter 2 and he didn't tell her, "I cannot live a single second without you. You are my world. Mine, always and forever." There was none of that BULL**** in this book. I may live for that sappy- hopeless romantic stuff, but let me tell you, IT ISN'T REAL.

Isabella tells Harrison, "I love you." and he responds, "Good to know." THAT IS REAL. I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news chicas, but there are more Harrison's in the world than Edwards, Christian's, and Peeta's.

I found a list of books girls in their 20s should read, and that is where I found this book. I am a girl in her 20s, single, blah blah blah. So clearly I will follow this list, and some others.

If you think sometimes you are just crazy to think this, that, and another thing-- read this book. I promise you, it will make you feel less crazy. I am sure you are still crazy (as most girls are) but it'll take off the edge a little. :)

http://www.retreatbyrandomhouse.ca/2012/08/20-books-read-your-20s/

Are You Judging Me?

Today I decided to take a long run to clear my head. Now, let me advice you, as a writer you do not usually want to "clear your head" with a run. The way you clear your head as a writer is, well, write. But today, I felt like taking advantage of the beautiful sunshine we are having here in Chi-town, and take a run.

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And let me tell you.... It was EXACTLY what the doctor ordered. The view alone is enough to make your bad day turn good!

I have had a rough 48 hours, but I refuse to let anything hold me back and I refuse to let anything stand in my way of chasing my dreams. 

The whole time I was running I could not help but think people were judging me, though. I am no size zero, I am a size eight. Do I wish I was smaller? Absolutely. But right now, I am what I am and I am working on it. But my whole run I felt as if eyes were looking at me like what is this heavier girl doing running. Or every time I would stop to walk, I felt as if I was getting laughed at. 

Then I stopped and though to myself: at least I am out here running. At least I am out here walking. I could have continued laying on my couch watching The Big Bang Theory but instead I got up, got out, and ran. Who knows if all, one, two, or any of the people I saw were judging me, but if you are reading this and judging me, now you know how I feel. I run and I workout. 

The past 5 weeks I have been out here I promised a friend of mine I was turning over a new leaf and becoming the healthier me, and I have. I am buying a lot more organic, eating VERY right, and walking as much as possible. I have not seen any improvements yet, which can be very discouraging, but after running as much and as far as I did today, I know that is it making changes. Just slowly.

I am always taking advice & tips on anything health & fitness. I would love to hear from you!

Now, get out there & be active!

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If I could do this for a living...

I am positive you have come across someone before who has said they have a passion for writing, they want to write a book someday, that writing is how they express themselves. Hi, I am Tracy Steinbach, and I am one of these people. (Hi Tracy...)

My first story I wrote (and still have) was during my 5th grade year. I wrote a Thanksgiving story on two turkey's trying to avoid being Thanksgiving dinner. I will always be proud of that piece of writing as well! Was the piece published? Well no, or clearly I would be a millionaire (rats!) Is it a dream of mine to have something published? Ab-sa-freaking-lutely!

I have started blogs and then I started more blogs and I have finally told myself to calm down and just start and keep up with one! And I must say, just writing this has been the best part of my day (and what a great feeling it is, too!)

I just moved to Chicago a little over a month ago from the Football Hall of Fame City of Canton, Ohio. I moved here on a whim & am now contracting with two companies helping them out with their social media, which is pretty rad!

I am that girl in the (semi) big city exploring her way through life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Well, I'd definitely have my family here for sure!